456 Regular Meeting of the City Council Austin Texas March 18, 1901 Hon Geo. A. Walton, Mayor presiding Roll Called Present: Aldermen Dunham Bischen Glass Mortimer Nolen 6 & Stauff 1 Absent Alderman Schneider On motion of Alderman Dunham the minutes were approved as recorded by the Clerk without reading Petitions Memorials etc – By the Mayor. Petition of Otto Schneider asking that a fine assessed against him in the Mayor’s court be remitted On motion the petition was granted By the Mayor, Petition of E. E. Gilbert asking to have certain Pound fees paid by him refunded. On motion the petition was granted. Alderman Fischer offered the following resolution which was read and adopted Whereas there is an amendment proposed to the City Charter of Austin now under consideration by the Legislature of Texas, which amendment seeks to eliminate from the boundaries of Austin Texas that portion of land lying in the Western and North western portion thereof, and is accompanied by a petition of the freeholders residing in said territory And whereas it is the universal opinion that said territory should never have been included in the City limits; and for the past ten years no improvements were made of any kind by the City, and not a dollar of the money raised by the water and Light bond issuance was expended in any manner on any internal improvements made, And whereas by including this territory in the City limits – a great injustice was done the owners of said property, who have been burdened with the City taxation for over ten years, without receiving the least benefits – and that this property was included for no other purpose than taxation; Be it resolved that the City Council of Austin, Texas in regular session assembled, believe that the property in question is entitled to the relief as prayed for, and should be eliminated from the boundaries of Austin, – and therefore recommend our Representatives to offer the proposed amendment to the City Charter of Austin, Texas, and that they urge the House and Senate the proposed amendment as to boundaries a part of the Austin Charter, It is further recommended that the Petition and amendment as to boundaries be favorably considered by the House and Senate of the 27th Legislature; and the territory delimited in the Western and North Western part of Austin, Texas which is composed of small farms and pastures be excluded. --- Page break --- The mayor laid before the Council a report from the City Engineer 457. as to the Cost of opening Gregory Street. which was read and on Motion the same was ordered filed. and the City Engineer directed to ascertain what amount of money would be subscribed by Citizens who were interested in said Street, towards opening same. Alderman Bischen offered a resolution instructing the City Engineer to use the unexpended balance of an appropriation made to build two bridges in the 10th Ward, in grading the approaches to said bridges The resolution was adopted. The Mayor laid before the Council a Communication from the CityEngineer, stating that the bridge across Wallen Creek on East 7th Street had been completed, and submitting an estimate of the probable Cost of grading the approaches to the same. On Motion the report was received and ordered filed. Alderman Bischen offered a resolution instructing the City Engineer to use the unexpended balance of an appropriation made to build Wagon bridges at 2nd and 10th Streets and Congress Avenue, to grade the approaches to said bridges – The resolution was adopted. Alderman Schirnden entered the Council Chamber. On Motion of Alderman Mortimen the regular order of business was suspended, and he allowed to present the Petition of Mrs W. Agleby asking to have certain forms, fees remitted The Petition was read and on motion same was granted. Alderman Schirnden presented a petition from E.M. & Amelia Prass, asking that certain water & light tax paid by them for the 1899 be refunded. On motion the petition was referred to the Committee on Claims & accounts. By Alderman Stumpff – Petition of W.A. Pitts asking to have a street sign placed on Pitts Avenue and that his house Number be renumbered On Motion the City Engineer was directed to give him the proper Number for his house, and Alderman Stumpff was appointed a Committee of one to see that the same was properly done. By Alderman Mortimen – Petition of Esther Griffin asking permission to add to bridge across the gutter at Corner of W. Bushback and the Avenue and that he be permitted to use same as a Candy stand On motion the petition was referred to the Street Committee and City Engineer. Alderman Bischen moved to take from the Table and Consider. An Ordinance ordering an election for the Various City officers to be held the 1st Monday in april 1901. Which motion prevailed – The Ordinance was read the second time and on motion the Various blanks as to places of holding the election and the Judges in the different Wards were filled. Alderman Stumpff moved to further amend by striking outin the Caption and in the body of the Ordinance the words "and a City Recorder" Which amendment was adopted. On Motion the rule was suspended and the ordinance placed on its third reading by the following Vote --- Page break --- 458 Yeas Aldermen Dunham Fischen Glass Mortimer Nolan Schneider and Stumpf 7 Nays None. The ordinance was then passed. Alderman Glass offered the following resolution which was read and adopted. Whereas many taxpayers of this City will be unable to pay their City taxes by the 1st day of April 1901. Therefore Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin that the time for payment of City taxes shall be extended from April 1st to July 1st, 1901. And that no penalty shall accrue for a failure to pay said taxes until after said last named date. Alderman Fischer offered the following resolution which was read and adopted. Whereas: there being no longer any doubt of President McKinley and Cabinet visiting the Pacific Slope and in doing so, passed through Texas And Whereas: Austin the Capital City of this Great Lone Star State is the proper place at which the President and Party should receive a Welcome, therefore! Be it resolved: That his Honor the Mayor is hereby requested to telegraph an urgent and Cordial invitation to the President and Party to visit our beautiful City during his tour. By Alderman Dunham An ordinance appropriating the sum of $183.75 for the purpose of grading Alley between 13th & 14th Streets between Brazos and San Jacinto Streets The ordinance was passed under suspension of the rules by the following Vote Yeas Aldermen Dunham Glass Mortimer Nolan Schneider and Stumpf 6 Nays Alderman Fischer 1 By Alderman Mortimer an ordinance appropriating the sum of $75 00 for the purpose of building gates for the City Cemetery The ordinance was passed under suspension of the rules by the following Vote Yeas Aldermen Dunham Fischer Glass Mortimer Nolan Schneider and Stumpf 7 Nays none. By Alderman Mortimer An ordinance appropriating the sum of $1000. for the purpose of grading approaches to bridge across Waller Creek on 12th Street The ordinance was read the first time and on motion the rule was suspended and the ordinance placed on its second reading by the following Vote Yeas Aldermen Dunham Fischer Glass Mortimer Nolan Schneider and Stumpf 7 Nays none. The ordinance was read the second time Alderman [illegible] moved to insert in section 1. the words "street or bridge" --- Page break --- 459 Alderman Nolen moved a substitute "General" the substitute was adopted and the ordinance as amended, was then passed by the following Vote Yeas Alderman Dunham Fischer Glass Mortimer Nolen Schneider and Stumpf Nays none 7 By Alderman Stumpf an ordinance appropriating the sum of $50.00 to purchase bonds for the sinking fund of the Water Light bonds of the City of Austin. The ordinance was passed under suspension of the rules by the following Vote Yeas Alderman Dunham Fischer Glass Mortimer Nolen Schneider and Stumpf Nays none. 7 By Alderman Stumpf An ordinance appropriating the sum of $2175.20 for the purpose of paying interest due April 1, 1901. on the Funding bonds of the City. The ordinance was passed under Suspension of the rules by the following Vote Yeas Alderman Dunham Fischer Glass Mortimer Nolen Schneider and Stumpf Nays none. 7 By Alderman Fischer an ordinance appropriating the sum of $1600.00 for the purpose of paying for labor, Supplies and material for street work by the County Board. The ordinance was passed under Suspension of the rules by the following Vote Yeas Alderman Dunham Fischer Glass Mortimer Nolen Schneider and Stumpf Nays None. 7 By Alderman Fischer An Ordinance appropriating the sum of $47.80 to pay for laying drain Pipe on the Speedway– The ordinance was passed under Suspension of the rules by the following Vote Yeas Alderman Dunham Fischer Glass Mortimer Nolen Schneider and Stumpf Nays None. 7 In motion of Alderman Nolen the City Attorney was excused from further attendance at this session of the Council. By Alderman Fischer An Ordinance appropriating the sum of $1000.00 for the purpose of Paying for extra labor & team. for street work The ordinance was passed under Suspension of the rules by the following Vote Yeas Alderman Dunham Fischer Glass Mortimer Nolen Schneider and Stumpf Nays none 7 By Alderman Nolen An Ordinance appropriating the sum of $1.05. for the purpose of re-moving Railway --- Page break --- 460 for a wall and 125 yards of grading, washed away on the of April 1900- The ordinance was read the first time and on motion was referred to the Street Committee By Alderman Schneider, an ordinance appropriating the sum of $800 for the purpose of repairing wall on East Austin Street Company The ordinance was passed under suspension of the rules by the following vote Yeas Alderman Dunham Hocken, Glass Mortimer Rielan Schneider and Stumpf Nays none. Alderman Schneider moved to suspend the regular order of business and he be permitted to make reports from the Claims & accounts Committee, which motion prevailed. Alderman Schneider for the Claims & accounts Committee to whom was referred the petition of Mrs. E. Loller & Geo. E. Dilworth protesting against the action of the Board of Equalization in assessing certain Credits etc., and asking that said assessment be set aside, presented a report, recommending that the petition be granted. The report of the Committee was adopted. Alderman Schneider for the Claims & accounts Committee to whom was referred the protest and petition of the I. P. & N. R. R. regarding assessment of property by the Board of Equalization presented a report recommending certain changes in the assessment. On Motion the report of the Committee was adopted. Alderman Mortimer offered the following resolution Whereas claim is made that the County treads in procuring material for Brushy Street in East Austin between East Avenue & East Wallace St., damaged the property adjacent thereto. Therefore Be it resolved - That the City Engineer be and he is hereby instructed to investigate the matter and report back to the City Council at its next regular meeting, the result of his investigation. On Motion the resolution was referred to the Street Committee & City Engineer On Motion the Council adjourned Jno. G. Johnson City Clerk